calvarygeorge said:
I would like to build a system for testing hardware... primarily SDRAM
modules (PC66, PC100, PC133)... I also would like to use this system or
systems to test other devices such as Video cards, Sound cards, Hard
drives, CD/DVD drives...
I would like to request advice on which motherboards are the best for
this purpose as well as basic requirements you can think of... advice
on static protection for such a system would also be appreciated...
Thank you
Intel chipsets probably have the best reputation for stability.
If using a motherboard as a RAM tester, I might start looking there.
Intel chipsets from that era are here:
http://developer.intel.com/design/chipsets/mature/index.htm
One thing to notice about the Intel chipsets, is they are
pretty limited to the size of RAM they can handle. The 815EP
might be the best of the bunch for SDRAM. Up to a 512MB single
module, total system RAM of 512MB. In other words, if you were
to use a 815EP Northbridge based motherboard, you could only
test a single 512MB SDRAM DIMM at a time.
If I set Northbridge="82815EP MCH" here, I can get a list
of motherboards that use the chip.
http://www.motherboards.org/mobot/index.html
The Asus TUSL2-C would be an example 815EP motherboard.
The next alternative, would be a non-Intel chipset. The
Asus TUV4X for example, has four memory slots (and at PC133
rates, you'd use three max at a time). The Southbridge
used is a 686B, which is slightly better than the 596B.
The 686B has a bug when copying from disk to disk on the
Southbridge, so I wouldn't use a motherboard like this
for file system repair work.
http://web.archive.org/web/20020207050229/http://www.via.com.tw/en/apollo/PRO133T.jsp
Your first problem with this idea of using a motherboard to
test RAM, is finding the motherboards for sale. You may not
be able to find one new, and you would really want to know
the usage history of the board, to know whether you'll get
the mileage from it.
One thing to worry about, is the sockets wearing out on the
motherboard. Any sockets on a motherboard, have a limit to
how many insertion/removal cycles they can stand.
Also, when a customer brings components into a store, to be
tested, if the component is damaged, it could damage your
test motherboard. I expect that would be a regular occurrence,
and keeping a stock of spare test motherboards would be a good
idea. (I.e. Don't just buy one TUV4X motherboard, as it will
get damaged and you'll need spares.)
The above two motherboards, should be able to use S370 Pentium
and Celeron processors, including the Tualatin family of
processors. So, you should be able to test most S370 processors
in the board.
To test the rest of your components, I'd use a more modern system.
You need a motherboard that can handle AGP cards up to 8X, disks
at ATA133 and so on. Options here might be a motherboard with
an Intel 865PE or 875P chipset. A Promise Ultra133 TX2 PCI plugin
card, can be used to test disks, up to the limits imposed by
the PCI bus (about 110MB/sec). An Nforce2 motherboard and an
AthlonXP would be an alternate test platform.
For antistatic protection, it really depends on your budget. I've
worked in a lab with pretty complete antistatic protection (antistatic
floor tile), but I doubt you could afford that. You can get
workbenches with anti-static tops, there are antistatic chairs
(~$1200 for some of them). You can get antistatic mats for the
bench, wrist straps with removable cords and so on. Your antistatic
solution could be as little as an antistatic wrist strap (maybe $10)
up to several thousands for a complete antistatic workstation.
This would be the bare minimum tool for antistatic work. You
should at least use one of these when handling RAM, plus a benchtop
antistatic mat with connection to earth ground. The idea, is to
bring the operator, and the work, to the same electrical potential.
http://www.elekon.co.nz/Static3.jpg
This is an example of overkill. "Electrostatic lotion" sounds
a bit loony. But their electrostatic bench looks reasonable.
The links on this page will be broken, but you can look at
the pictures...
http://web.archive.org/web/20020604092650/http://www.kostat.com/esdforge.htm
Note that there are also portable RAM testers for sale on the
Internet. But motherboards make a pretty cheap test method,
assuming there is a ready supply of spares when you need them.
You will also need a copy of memtest86+, from memtest.org , to
execute from a floppy or CD, when using the motherboard as a
RAM tester. A couple of error free passes with that tool, proves
the memory has no fundamental flaws.
Memory problems can also be encountered, when multiple DIMMs are
used with chipsets that cannot drive them well at full speed.
All the memory testing in the world will not help you then.
You need a sound knowledge of the limitations of certain chipsets,
to be able to tell customers "No, that combination will not work",
even though the user manual may say otherwise.
HTH,
Paul
